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13 incredible health benefits of Banana

Banana,  a fruit that consist mainly of sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and fibre making it ideal for an immediate and slightly prolonged source of energy. It does a whole list of wonderful things for the body, some of which are listed below:

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1. Reduces Depression

Bananas contain tryptophan, an amino acid that can be converted to serotonin, leading to an improved and happier mood.

2. Fights Anemia

Bananas are relatively high in iron, which helps the body’s haemoglobin function.

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3. Controls Constipation and Diarrhoea

Due to their content in fibre, they help restore a normal bowel function. In addition, diarrhoea usually depletes your body of important electrolytes (of which the most important is potassium, contained in high amounts in bananas). They also contain pectin, a soluble fiber (hydrocolloid) that can help normalize movement through thedigestive tract.

4. Protects Eyesight

Research published in the Archives of Ophthalmology has proven that adults consuming at least 3 servings of fruit per day have a reduced risk (by 36%) of developing age-related muscular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily.

5. Keeps Kidney Healthy

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About 190,000 cases of kidney cancer are diagnosed each year. Research published in the International Journal of Cancer has shown that daily consumption of whole fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, is highly protective to kidney health.

Frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, cabbage and root vegetables, may reduce risk of kidney cancer. This is because bananas and many root vegetables contain especially high amounts of antioxidant phenolic compounds.

6. Prevents High Blood Pressure

Bananas are extremely high in potassium (about 4673mg), yet very low in sodium (1mg), thus having a perfect ratio for preventing high blood pressure.

7. Sooths Heartburn

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Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

8. Averts Morning Sickness

Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood-sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

9. Checks Smoking Habits

Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. They contain vitamins B6 and B12 they contain, as well as potassium and magnesium: these substances help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

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10. Ulcer friendly

This is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicle cases. It also helps reduce acidity and reduces irritation. Bananas stimulate the cells on the internal stomach lining to produce a thicker mucus (which protects against acid).

Additionally, bananas contain protease inhibitors that help eliminate bacteria inthe stomach that have been pinpointed as a primary cause of ulcers.

11. Reduces Mosquito Bite Itches

Many people report that rubbing the inside of a banana peel on a mosquito bite is very effective in reducing itching and swelling.

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12. Stress Reliever

Bananas are high in potassium, which helps normalize the heartbeat and regulate the body’s water balance.

During periods of high stress, our body’s potassium levels tend to be rapidly depleted: eating bananas is a healthy way to rebalance them without usingdrugs.

13. Minimizes Stroke Risk

According to a study, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can reduce the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%.Now go ahead and eat that banana!

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By By Eyram Kuwornu

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